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31st MEU tests proficiency at Fuji in support of "Golf" battery

Marine Corps News

12/10/2002

Story by S. K. D'Alessio

CAMP FUJI, Honshu, Japan (December 10, 2002) -- Detachments of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) completed the proficiency and sustainment-level training exercise called FUJIEX here, Nov. 20, in support of its artillery battery.

Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, the Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment's (BLT 2/4) artillery battery, kicked off the exercise as they engaged their Marines in a regiment of skill-sharpening target practice. Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Weapons Company and Headquarters and Service Company combined with 'Golf' Battery's artillery, MEU Service Support Group 31 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262) to make an impact at Mt. Fuji's artillery ranges.

The training was extremely valuable to the Marines. For one, it's not possible to conduct such large-scale live-firing exercises at the Marine Expeditionary Unit's home island of Okinawa. Secondly, there is no real substitute for the ability to fire on actual targets in a field environment, according to Capt. Douglas G. Luccio, battery commander, who was happy to get his Marines back to the basics. According to Luccio, the training not only kept his Marines current in their skills, but also gave the recoil mechanisms on the howitzers a solid workout.

" . . . November was productive in terms of training and war-fighting," said Luccio. "More focus was put on the conventional role of an artillery battery . . . it was beautiful. The ground shook as we safely sent 518 rounds down range. We had two primary goals while we trained here, exercise the recoil mechanisms on the howitzers and provide refresher training to the cannoneers. I look at these howitzers and it reminds me of my Harley Davidson. If I just shine it and never use it, it will look pretty, but won't run properly."

"We also took an opportunity to practice the emplacement and displacement of the battery. The importance of the RSOP (reconnaissance, surveillance, and occupying of a position) training was that it refocused the attention of the unit on howitzer related tasks. Lots of simple mistakes were made, but that enabled us to improve."

Because the MEU is a force in readiness, able to rapidly deploy and conduct operations across a wide spectrum, the battalion and battery, its ground combat elements, trained here to increase their readiness as a fire support asset for any situation. Additionally, the units train throughout the year for possible humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, amphibious assault and high intensity combat missions.

As the MEU maintains a forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region to support combined operations and training, they will continue to conduct maneuver, live-fire, and combined arms training at Fuji to improve their combat readiness and war-fighting capabilities. During FUJIEX, the MEU emphasized their artillery power.

Once ashore the battery traditionally provides fire support in all weather and visibility conditions, to include high explosive, illumination, white phosphorus and improved conventional munitions.

The main purpose of the exercise was for the MEU to perfect it's ability to provide a forward deployed, flexible, sea-based Marine Aviation Ground Task Force, capable of rapidly executing amphibious operations and designated Maritime Special Operations missions.

The MEU Service Support Group-31 detachment provided ground combat service support to the BLT here to ensure successful execution of the combat arms portions. Marines conducted live-fires with weapons such as M-240G and MK-19 machineguns, M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons and AT-4 shoulder-fired, light anti-armor weapons.

The command element also provided resources during the exercises as the Human Exploitation Team conducted counter-surveillance and force protection analysis during infantry movements.

Golf battery also employed their heavy artillery as they assembled their M-198 Howitzer and the BLT's 81 mm mortar platoons on the Fuji ranges. It was the only way to bombard distant targets and get the true effect and feel of their weapons that only firing actual rounds can provide, according to Luccio.

The battery and Aviation Combat Element crews worked together to practice howitzer lifts and a helicopter raid as part of the final training objective. Additionally, the Leathernecks of HMM-262 provided assault support and offensive air support during the BLT's ground operations.

A howitzer was lifted six times by CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, giving several pilots and the gun's crew valuable training. The howitzer, its crew and an eight-round skid of ammo were lifted out of the landing zone even during inclement weather.

"Flying around with an odd shaped, 16,000 pound object suspended underneath you has to be testing on the nerves," commented Luccio.

As part of a MAGTF, the battery works with the ACE to mark for the pilots, who provide close air support for the infantry and suppression of enemy air defenses. The battery also worked in close coordination with the squadron's AH-1W Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters. The squadron provided tactical bulk fuel dispensing system (TBFDS) field refueling operations, as well as several inserts, extracts, and VIP lifts.

Much of their integration with the aviation assets started at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Calif., where they provided fire support forward observers and liaisons during a combined arms exercise.

In all, the battery and the rest of the MEU's elements completed the exercise successfully. Since, according to Luccio, they carry an "in case of emergency break glass" label, the artillery battery is often tasked to pick up supplemental roles as provisional infantrymen. "We've got to be able to do both well, but we're the only ones that can do the artillery part," said Luccio. "The conventional role of the MEUs only 24-hour fire support system worked its fundamentals. And we felt that the challenges we created helped frame some of the tests we could face in the next year."